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AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The original author remains somewhat in doubt. Yet the old axiom, with regard to golf, has taken on new meaning over the past couple of years and has never sounded more apt.
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| Challenging four-time Masters winner Tiger Woods is never a good idea. (Getty Images) |
Over the decades, it has most often been recalled thusly: "He who rides the tiger finds it difficult to dismount." The back end of the proverb, which has usually been forgotten, is no less relevant: "lest he be devoured."
We like the discarded, tail end of the tale best of all, since open mouths are what got the would-be Tiger-tamers in trouble to begin with. Ultimately, all the orally unwise have munched upon is humble pie, whereas they each got a sizeable set of teeth in their backsides in return.
Bulletin-board material goes by many names in other sports, including trash, head, garbage and junk. Despite the seemingly inevitable result, players keep lining up to throw smatterings of smack at Tiger Woods and keep receiving the inevitable smackdown.
Over the past couple of years, as Woods has ramped up his game to perhaps its highest level, multiple players of less-accomplished pedigree keep impugning his credentials, directly and by intimation. From raw rookie to seasoned veteran, they have raised eyebrows, caused eyeballs to roll and often made themselves look like imbeciles. Not to mention, they've occasionally annoyed Woods along the way, like this cat needs more motivation.
"I think it's just funny," Woods said Tuesday. "Some of the guys, that's just their personalities, you know? But my father's always taught me, just go out there and just play and let your clubs do the talking and that should be enough."
Ah, but it rarely is for others. Some PGA Tour types apparently possess high pain thresholds, because calling out Woods publicly is hazardous to your health, and worse, a guy's professional reputation. Speaking of which, has anybody seen Rory Sabbatini lately?
Saddle up, boys. Anybody want to put the spurs to Woods on the eve of the season's first major championship?
Jesper Parnevik is one of Woods' oldest pals. He has noticed the growing number of unflattering comments and comparisons relating to Woods of late -- including some head-scratching remarks this spring from England's flashy Ian Poulter -- and wonders what those guys are thinking.
"I do, honestly," Parnevik said of the flippancy. "But I don't think he cares."
Oh, really?
"I mean, in a sense. Of course, the next time he plays Poulter, he'll ..."
